A bid beyond the Id

Pardon me if I fall flat
on my Ars Poetica
when I say that we are only obliged to breathe.

The squats, fits, snits
and other counterfeits,
whether they be formes fixes
or simply the vexations
swallowed for approval
by committee
may be required
to avoid pity
or to be allowed to hang around,
even by your anapest and trochee,
but you are not obliged to be admired.
You only are obliged to breathe.

Take in capaciously all harm and grief and loss,
warmth, honesty, and aspiration;
yes, and also perversity and animosity,
and insulation from seeing and inflicting pain.
Breathe in and then breathe out.
Give order, virtue, estimation, valuation,
choice and will to live,
to change and plan,
transmogrify and glorify.
Take and give;
Do not stand pat.